The Vesuvius Furnace in Ironton was built in 1833 and named after an Italian volcano. It represents one of the historical highlights of Lawrence County: iron smelting. The Lawrence County Museum and several historic buildings offer additional ways to explore regional history. For your trip planning, you can choose between cultural history and activities in Wayne National Forest as distinct areas of focus.
Forest and Activities in the Ironton District
Wayne National Forest covers a large part of northern Lawrence County. In the Ironton District of the forest, activities include camping, backpacking, kayaking, and hunting. The range of options extends from forest activities to kayaking on the water. If you want to focus your stay on the outdoors, you can plan around the activity you prefer.
You can get visitor information for the Ironton District at the Ironton Ranger Station in Pedro. This gives you a specific place to go for information about the district.
Iron Furnaces and Their Regional History
The Vesuvius Iron Furnace was one of 46 charcoal-fired iron furnaces in the six-county Hanging Rock Iron Region of southern Ohio. This broader context places the individual furnace within a regional history of iron smelting. The story extends from the structure in Ironton to an iron region spanning several counties.
The name of the Vesuvius Recreation Area also refers to the old Vesuvius Iron Furnace. The recreation area is considered the principal developed recreation facility in Wayne National Forest. The history of the furnace and the name of the recreation area are thus directly connected.
Museum, Buildings, and Local History
The Lawrence County Museum has a permanent collection on regional history and is housed in a restored Victorian residence dating from 1870. The museum offers one way to explore the region’s history through a collection; historic buildings and districts provide another perspective on specific places and architecture.
Several buildings in Lawrence County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Brumberg Building in Ironton was listed in 2008, while the Fifth and Lawrence Streets Residential District in Ironton was listed in 1978. The Macedonia Church in Burlington was also listed in 1978. Olive Furnace in Pedro was added in 2007, and Vesuvius Furnace in Ironton in 1990. The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall features Romanesque architecture. Together, these examples offer different points of interest for a focus on architectural and industrial history.
In Burlington, the Burlington 37 Cemetery Marker stands at the entrance to the cemetery. The Burlington 37 were freed slaves from Virginia who founded Burlington, Ohio, in the mid-19th century. The marker and the founding story connect a specific place with this part of local history.
July Event and Orientation Along the Ohio River
The Lawrence County Fair takes place every year in July. The program includes rides, a demolition derby, tractor races, and music and 4-H events. If you want to plan your trip around the fair, check the dates for the relevant year.
The Ironton-Russell Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge over the Ohio River between Ironton, Ohio, and Russell, Kentucky. It provides a specific regional point of reference across the river, without implying anything about current traffic conditions.
Discover more destinations: South Point, Lucas County, Lorain, Mercer County, Van Wert, Ashtabula County, Logan, Sandusky County.
For the broader travel overview: Ohio.
